Laotian/Thai menu. State Street location has a secret outdoor garden dining space. Beef larb and pa laad prik (fried catfish in spicy sauce) are good picks if you like heat. You can usually upgrade to sticky rice for a small additional charge. $4-$12.

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The prolonged blast of warm air that toasted the Upper Midwest for most of March has culinary life here out of sync. Cocktail programs are shifting gears quickly to respond to the higher temperatures, but in kitchens, chefs are scratching their heads. What produce is local and organic right now? Unfortunately, not much; root vegetables, the first nettles and some early greens.

It's been only a little over two years since I last reviewed Rising Sons Deli, the Lao-Thai restaurant that was at that time lodged at the now-defunct University Square Mall. Rising Sons has since made the move to the big league -- State Street -- with more seating but few remaining "deli" aspects to the operation.